There is a current stockout of the hormone depo-testosterone, commonly known as T, widely used by transgender men and transmasculine people to increase testosterone levels in their bodies, to align the outside masculine presentation of trans men to their identity. It is taken by injection.

‘Emotionally draining’

Seth (20) from Cape Town has been on testosterone for 10 months. He is currently searching pharmacies in the Mother City to see if any has stock. If not, he will see if he can get one or two shots from a friend.

Like most people who are deprived of T, Seth says it has been a rollercoaster ride. “Other than my mood being affected by potentially lowering my dosage, it has also been emotionally draining to have participated in the march that took place earlier this year at the University of Cape Town and be in the same position later in the year.”

Seth is referring to the outcry over the shortage of T that happened earlier this year, which was accompanied by a march. These stockouts date back to as far as December 2018, MambaOnline reported in February.

A person using Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) usually experiences gender dysphoria, when one’s sex does not align with their gender physically and therefore many would opt to use sex-specific hormones to affirm their gender. When not taken, the stockout of T can have devastating effects because it can lead to mental health issues and in some cases, even suicide. Read more via Mamba Online